It’s Time to Get Out of (Your Current) Shape

What Does it Mean To Get In Shape? What’s With Your Shape Now?

“Getting in shape” is such a common phrase in the fitness world and it’s becoming more common in the world of nutrition. We’re now actively getting not only our diet in shape, but also our digestion, energy levels and hormones “in shape.” The real objective on getting in shape is actually to get out of the one we’re currently in.

It’s Time to Get Out of (Your Current) Shape

The shape you’re in is the one that’s serving you for now. It depends on what you’re trying to do to change, but also what you’ve pretty much done your entire life. If we’re judging on what we’ve done, that would make most of us Sitting Ninjas who can order a meal with the tap of a few app keys, while still holding that Sitting Ninja posture. No wonder we want to “get in shape” (a better one than the one that looks like we’re sitting even when we’re standing!) Every day we have three opportunities to get our diet, digestion and energy in shape, and we should do the same to change our Sitting Ninja posture too.

Get In Shape By Losing Your Current Shape

Getting in shape really means getting out of the one we’re in currently. It takes change and it can be done fairly easily! By keeping your body’s best interest in mind, you will shape your diet, movement and mind into a more holistic and healthier one.
Here are a few things you can count on:
– you’ll remember to drink plenty of water because your body needs it to for proper digestion and to clear out toxins.
– You’ll choose fruits instead of synthetic beverages and sweets, in order to give your body the extra fiber it needs.
– You’ll eat your vegetables raw or lightly cooked, but not processed to make sure nothing gets lost between the farm and your hand. When it comes to food, nature is definitely wisest.
– You’ll squat intermittently throughout the day, walk wherever you can, stretch the places you know could use it whenever you’re waiting around (tops of your feet, calves, hammies and lats on most of us).

7 Tips to Get In Shape and Stay That Way!

Getting in shape is where food and fitness collide. Each of us is different but that doesn’t mean we don’t have a number of common markers for people who consider themselves “in shape.”

Make it easy for yourself to work out in the mornings. … And eat a good breakfast.

Master the art of portion control… And movement over exercise.

Get enough sleep.

Don’t aim for perfection. Nothing is good or bad, just in or out of balance. Food and movement.

Find a workout and meals you love — that way it doesn’t feel like a chore, and it’s something you’re excited to do.

Try to do some form of movement once an hour. Or just set a goal to move more and create opportunities to do so. Combine movement with food choices, like walking to the produce store or farmers market.

You’ve a set point. Acknowledge it. Everyone has an equilibrium and genetic set point where there body wants to remain. Acknowledging a set point doesn’t mean giving up, but it does mean realizing the obstacles you face. When expectations meet reality you can avoid dietary crashes. Eat healthy. Not just food that looks healthy. Know what you eat. Don’t fuss over minutia like whether you’re getting enough Omega 3’s or tryptophan, but be aware of the big things. Look at the foods you eat regularly and figure out whether they are healthy or not. Don’t get fooled by the deceptively healthy snacks just pretending to be good for you. The most basic nutritional advice is: eat unprocessed food, more veggies, use meat as a side dish not a main course, dress and cook with different healthy fats and get your nutrition through variety.

You’re not out of shape; you’re in the exact shape of what it is you’ve been doing. The shape you’re in is the health you’re in. It’s not just something you think about one meal or workout at a time. It’s a lifestyle. And one you can enjoy!

About The Author

Vanessa began her career in publishing as an editor and copywriter but it was her lifelong love of exercise and food, however, that quickly drew her to personal training, where she started her own company in 2000. As a climber and gymnast her focus has been on natural body weight movement and the individuality that prevails in helping people help themselves. She quickly began to also incorporate holistic health coaching into her services in 2008 becoming a CHEK health coach and practitioner and as well as Nutritional Therapy and permaculture design.
Like so many health bloggers she has overcome illness through the power of food as medicine (& wondrous medical through life saving surgery). In 2010 she was diagnosed with a tennis ball sized brain tumor she’d developed over many years with next to no symptom. While brain tumor is now far more prevalent than ever, she hopes no one she knows can have first hand empathy with it.
Rather she loves to share her story of healing, recently given the five years all clear, and of healing, to the point of regenerating: in 2015 she and her husband Tim welcomed their happy healthy (& extremely handsome) baby boy Lachlan.